Goa - Beaches and Heritage - Deaf and Speech Impaired - 3 nights

Goa

Quiet and charming, studded with beautiful Churches and convents, Old Goa today, is a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. Located all along the Mandovi River and only 9 km away from Panjim, Old Goa was once an important trading post wherein rich...

Quiet and charming, studded with beautiful Churches and convents, Old Goa today, is a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. Located all along the Mandovi River and only 9 km away from Panjim, Old Goa was once an important trading post wherein riches flowed from all over the world and the town flourished. Splendid temples, palaces and mosques were built, the ship building industry prospered and Old Goa became the illustrious capital of the vast eastern Portuguese Empire, sharing the same civic privileges as Lisbon, winning rightfully, the title - 'Rome of the East'.

Is this trip for me?

YES! If you...

The program is painstakingly curated offering not only well planned travel but a wholesome experience to Deaf and Speech impaired travellers. Join us and our highly experienced and sensitive guides who will bring to life Goa's rich heritage through its beautiful churches and the Latin settlement of Fontainhas. The experience will be further enhanced with a trip to the coastal state's spice plantations. Its aromas and fragrances are sure to make this trip an unforgettable experience. Couple that with the tastes and lingering memories, all offered with the true warmth of Indian hospitality, and you are looking at a holiday that's an absolute treat to your senses.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 Arrive Goa

Day 2 Goa

Day 3 Goa

Day 4 Depart Goa

Itinerary

On arrival at the airport in Goa, follow the necessary formalities and baggage collection and as you exit the arrivals terminal, an Enable Travel representative will receive you with a placard bearing your name. The representative would now guide you to the awaiting vehicle, facilitating your smooth transfer to your hotel and assist with check-in.

Note:

Standard check in time is at 1400 hours.

Early check in is subject to availability.

The rest of the day will be free for relaxation at the hotel.

Meals included: None (meals on your own)

Lemon Tree Amarante Beach Resort

Day 2

Goa

Explore Old Goa, followed by a tour of the spice plantation.

This morning, following a leisurely breakfast, proceed on a visit to the oldest part of the city. The program has been aptly named as tour of Old Goa.

With your local guide, embark on a historical journey discovering the famous sights of Old Goa. Soak in the tranquil atmosphere as you explore the World Heritage Site of the Basilica of Bom Jesus with its Iberian exterior and its lavish interiors that enshrine the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, the famous Jesuit missionary.

Across the road is the magnificent Se Cathedral or St. Catherine's Cathedral, apparently the largest church in India, known for its numerous altars and today serves as the seat of Goan Archdiocese. With its Tuscan facade, its scale and detail of the Corinthian style interior is overwhelming. Its well maintained garden was once the town square, from where several government offices functioned. Within the same vicinity, is the Franciscan church of St Francis of Assisi originally built in 1521.

Opposite Se Cathedral, beyond the road, is the large and beautiful church of St Cajetan, built by Italian priests and designed on the lines of St. Peter's in Rome, this church is renowned for the exuberant wood carvings on its high altar and pulpit.In the afternoon, we will take you for another exciting tour to the spice plantation.India, since ancient times, has been a country of fabulous aromas and flavors that are sometimes worth more than gold. A major contribution to which is the array of spices and herbs, cultivated here. Goa is one of the regions where they are cultivated.

These spice plantations are managed by people who, besides having comprehensive knowledge, also excel in technical knowhow of farming spices. Almost all these plantations here use organic methods of cultivation and farming, thereby imparting freshness and a distinct aroma to the spices, herbs and medicinal plants.

On arrival, after a traditional welcome, enjoy the refreshing herbal tea followed by a very informative and entertaining guided tour of the plantation. Black pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, mace, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, chillies, coriander, cumin, betel nut palm, bay leaf are some of the many spices along with coconut, jackfruit and cashew, that can be found at these plantations. As you are guided through the lush greenery of the plantation, soak in the information from the guide as he points out the man who climbs the tall Betel nut trees, swaying from tree to tree, as he plucks the fruit from these trees - a perfect picture of a modern day Tarzan!Become aware of the magical healing properties of some of the spices that we may be habituated to using daily but blissfully unaware of their potencies, how they could be a part of our kitchen apothecary / pharmacy. Watch the natural, indigenous method of distilling the famous Goan liquor - Fenny or Feni, from locally grown cashew nut and of course, savor the liquor later, as you roll it on your tongue, while you enjoy the local Goan food, served probably on a banana leaf or a bamboo plate.
Your experience of spices and their aromas is most likely to be punctuated with the chirping of some of the birds that are found at the plantation such as horn bills, Indian myna, cuckoos, parakeets, large eagles, etc. If you are a foodie or enjoy creating new dishes, this is going to be a very memorable and informative experience for you, as you also carry some fresh and finest quality spices and herbs back home.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Lemon Tree Amarante Beach Resort

Day 3

Goa

Enjoy a tour of Panjim.

Post at the hotel, we take you to Panjim or Panaji - is the capital of Goa today - the seat of Goa's government. Viewed from the Mandovi River across it, it appears like a typical Mediterranean town, very picturesque, with its rows of public buildings and elegant, colourful private residences for enjoying a sightseeing tour of Fontainhas, the Latin Quarters.Fontainhas, one of the main heritage quarters of the city was built on reclaimed land, on the base of the Altinho Hill, by a rich Goan. It is bounded to the west by the pretty Ourem Creek and so named because of the natural 'founts' or springs nearby, revealing a wonderfully preserved life with old world atmosphere and charm. Take a few steps back in time, experience the sudden change of style and pace in this delightful Latin Quarter, from modern tarmac and restless traffic on the outside, to the calm of cobbled alleyways and cheerfully painted houses on the inside. Stroll around the streets of India's Portugal, walking around some of the oldest mansions dating back to the mid 1800s, where you just may find local residents sitting out on colonnaded balconies watching life go by at the leisurely pace Goa is so famous for. There are little cafes, quaint little lanes with its old-world curio shops, art galleries, bakeries, street names imprinted on tiles evoking a bygone era - sure to take your breath away.A wander through the streets of Fontainhas, would bring you to the local Chapel of St. Sebastian, built in 1818 to meet the needs of the largely Portuguese community. Today, the chapel's most intriguing possession is an old crucifix that depicts Jesus with his eyes open. A short walk ahead is a spring with a shrine nearby and a hill with a brightly coloured temple dedicated to Hanuman, the Monkey faced God - the spot where history meets the present.If time permits, visit the neighboring area of Sao Tome, i.e. Goa's old 'Fleet Street' and the location of the GPO, housed within an old tobacco trading house. As you stand facing the square opposite the post office, remind yourself of the public executions that took place here - yes, during the Portuguese rule! This neighborhood too has beautiful heritage structures such as altars, residences and old shops. Sao Tome was the patron saint of colonial architects, hence architecture of this area can be considered as one of the finest in Panaji. Truly an experiential and a photographer's delight!

Return to the hotel in the afternoon and later relax at the beach.

Meals included: Breakfast

Lemon Tree Amarante Beach Resort

Day 4

Depart Goa

Breakfast at the hotel.

In time, transfer to airport for your return flight.

Today, you bid farewell to your tour, continuing onwards to your next destination.

Meals included: Breakfast

About

Goa

Sun, sea, sand, seafood, shopping and spirituality, Goa is where you can expect all this anf a lot more! Laze around the lovely beaches, gorge on sumptuous seafood, explore Portuguese architecture and heritage or surrender yourself to a spiritual retreat. Enjoy the land of golden sand where happiness meets fun!

Any rides, safaris, boating charges, additional sightseeing tours other than the mentioned in inclusions.

Goods and Services Tax of 5%.

Dates & Price

Price Validity

Category

Twin / Double

Single

1st Oct 2018 - 31st Mar 2019

STANDARD

578

800

1st Oct 2018 - 31st Mar 2019

SUPERIOR

651

925

1st Oct 2018 - 31st Mar 2019

DELUXE

859

1,329

1st Oct 2018 - 31st Mar 2019

LUXURY

1,043

1,630

Before you Go

We request all our guests to let us know of all their special requirements i.e. dietary, mobility, accessibility, vision, speech or hearing, at the time of booking, enabling us to plan the trip accordingly.

Please note that most Indian hotels are not equipped with devices for Deaf and Speech impaired. Please carry the essential devices with you.

It is advisable to secure an Indian mobile phone SIM for easy communication with your tour consultant and other service providers.

Due to difference in infrastructure, crowds and cultural differences, travelling solo may not be convenient. If you are not travelling with an able bodied companion, it is advisable to request for a sign language interpreter.

Voltage available in India is 220-240 Volts. International adapters are available at most hotels.

Important Info

Visas for India should be obtained by all passengers well before their departure for India.

Check in time will be 1400 hours and Check out time will be 1200 hours.

Prices are subject to change without any prior notice.Rates include only those items specified in your itinerary.Distances mentioned in itinerary are approximate & driving time depends on traffic conditions.

No wearing footwear and no carrying plastic or leather articles while entering any temple.

In case, at the time of booking, we do not get the accommodation in the same hotels, we will book an alternate hotel / category of room for which the supplement / reduction will be advised to you accordingly.

The rates mentioned above are confidential and should not be shared with a third party without written consent of Enable Travel. All arrangements made by Enable Travel are in the capacity of an agent only. Enable Travel will not be liable for claims or expenses arising from circumstances beyond our control such as accidents, injuries, delayed or cancelled flights and acts / forces of nature.

In case, at the time of booking, accommodation is not available in the hotels mentioned above, we will book an alternate hotel / category of room for which the supplement / reduction will be advised accordingly

A refund / discount would not be applicable if breakfast or any meals included in the package are not utilised.

Enable Travel's costs are based on contracted rates for leisure business. No conference / business / corporate activity have been envisaged in the tour cost. Including any such activity may result in the above being treated as a business delegation and the hotels are likely to charge a separate contracted rate for the same.

In case of any additional expense incurred due to a change in Government of India and Reserve Bank of India regulations pertaining to taxes, fuel hikes, entrances to monuments, transport, fluctuation in the rate of exchange and any force majeure situation due to natural / political conditions, Enable Travel reserves the right to adjust the tour price accordingly.Smoking in public places has been prohibited in India. Public places include open spaces, restaurants, hotels, pubs, discotheques, banquet halls, etc. No services would be permitted / provided in separate smoking enclosures / areas, if available, with the exception of rooms designated as 'smoking rooms' in hotels.Force Majeure Situations: Enable Travel and its associates shall not be liable to pay any compensation where the performance / prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented / affected or any damage or loss is suffered as a result of a "force majeure" situation. In these Booking Conditions, "force majeure" would stand for any event which Enable Travel or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, actual or threatened terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events outside of our control. Enable Travel and its associates are not liable for any compensation for damage caused by a force majeure or other unforeseen events. Enable Travel would notify our clients / agents timely of such force majeure events as and when feasible and will aim to limit the damage and supplement cost befalling the clients / agents for alternate arrangements deviating from the planned program.